Connected Lighting is a fast-growing area overall. This is not least because it can return significant cost savings on energy expenditure.
More and more countries are introducing laws to enforce responsible energy use in commercial and enterprise buildings. Connected-lighting use is the perfect platform for this by providing the ability to automate-lighting control, a significant consumer of energy. Sensor technology takes control to a new level, allowing the lights to operate semi-autonomously, as well as feeding valuable data back to a building management system.
Connected lights can use occupancy sensors to turn off when an area is unused for a predetermined amount of time. They can employ light sensors to modulate their output. Based on the amount of ambient or natural light available and keep the light colour temperature to a desired value. Connected-light fittings can act as waypoints or beacons for indoor-navigation or wayfinding, or as wireless-network access points or signal boosters. Smart fittings can also form part of a security system. They are using environmental sensors such as movement, temperature, humidity and sound to monitor an area passively.
Wireless connectivity for smart lighting
Of all wireless protocols available, Bluetooth-Low-Energy technology and Green Power by Zigbee Alliance are most suitable for LED lighting. As they support low energy and even batteryless control-module applications and mesh networking.
Mesh networking is a technology that supports topologies with a high number of nodes. They are distributed across an area, each of which may (not) be part of the network at any given time. The main strength of a mesh network is its ability to ‘self-heal’. If a node becomes unresponsive and extends the reach of commands to upwards of 150 meters. The same underlying ability also means network management is eased. Allowing nodes to join and leave the network without imposing any administrative overheads.
In a network of connected-light fittings, each node can incorporate a number of functions. Each node in a mesh network acts as a waypoint for the data and control messages passed around the network. The data created and consumed by each node becomes the payload for the selected communications protocol. Bluetooth-Low-Energy technology and the Zigbee protocol provide the level of communications required to support complex connected lighting installations. Another important aspect is how easily a connected lighting network and interface to a building management system.
Securing connected lighting
Bluetooth-Low-Energy technology supports mesh networks with as many as 32,000 nodes and provides a high level of embedded security. Each node can act as a relay node for network traffic. As well as a proxy node that enables other non-Bluetooth technology nodes to be part of the same network. All traffic in a Bluetooth-technology mesh network is encrypted. And each node is authenticated before it is allowed to join the network and receive data. Message obfuscation is included to make node tracking difficult. While the feature trashcan-attack protection ensures that the identity of nodes removed from the network is not accessible to cybercriminals.
The Green Power protocol has already established a good reputation in building automation and applications like connected lighting. While Bluetooth-Low-Energy technology is a feature of almost all mobile devices, the Green Power protocol requires a dedicated gateway. ON Semiconductor supports Green Power technology through devices such as its NCS36510 system-on-chip.
Power Over Ethernet (POE)
There is a new IEEE 802.3bt standard. It supports the delivery of up to 90 W of power, makes PoE a perfect match for connected lighting systems. Using PoE, there is no need to route mains cable to each light fitting. While most legacy lights will already have power available, new installations can save on the cost of deploying high-voltage cabling.
Connected Lighting Platform
To help OEMs develop high-power industrial LED lighting, ON Semiconductor has created the Connected Lighting Platform which features an LED-module. An LED driver module, an AC/DC module, and a Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity module based on the RSL10 SIP. A PoE Module, supporting up to 90 watts of power, is available separately.
Control is provided either through Bluetooth Low Energy technology using several available mobile applications or through PoE. It can be used to develop systems that support a range of lighting features, like dimming. But is easily extended to add other smart capabilities such as environment and occupancy sensing.
Conclusion
Connected lighting is an exciting area that promises significant growth over the coming years. With its proven expertise in wired/wireless protocols and in power management, ON Semiconductor is a very good partner for OEMs. Looking to explore and join this vibrant application area.
About ON Semiconductor
ON Semiconductor is driving energy-efficient innovations, empowering customers to reduce global energy use. The company is a leading supplier of semiconductor-based solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio. For example, energy-efficient power management, power modules, analogue, sensors, logic, timing, connectivity, discrete, SoC and custom devices.
By Bruno Damien, IoT Strategic Marketing Director EMEA, ON Semiconductor
Discover more about ON Semiconductor and the world of Connected Lighting: www.onsemi.com.